UMS and PLN Puslitbang Sign MoU, Expanding Research Access for Academics

April 29, 2026
8:55 am

Surakarta, April 28, 2026 — Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) has officially established a partnership with PLN Research Institute (Pusat Penelitian dan Pengembangan/Puslitbang), marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the UMS Rectorate Meeting Room on Tuesday (April 28). This collaboration opens broad opportunities for UMS lecturers and academics to engage in various research and development activities.

The Rector of UMS, Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum., warmly welcomed the delegation from PLN Research Institute, led by General Manager Mochamad Soleh. In his remarks, Harun emphasized the importance of ensuring that the partnership delivers real impact rather than remaining a mere formality.

“We hope this MoU will not become just a formal document or a ‘sleeping MoU.’ Instead, it should serve as an active platform for collaboration that benefits both parties,” he stated.

He also highlighted the importance of building a mutually beneficial relationship between universities and industry, including PLN, to drive innovation and development across various sectors. According to him, collaboration between PLN, academia, and Muhammadiyah can be part of a broader movement for renewal and knowledge-based advancement.

Through this partnership, UMS lecturers will gain access to conduct research not only in the power sector but also in other relevant fields. This is expected to strengthen the contribution of academics in producing applicable and impactful innovations for society.

Meanwhile, General Manager of PLN Research Institute, Mochamad Soleh, stated that his institution is actively expanding and strengthening collaborations with universities. To date, PLN Research Institute has partnered with 18 universities across Indonesia, including UMS.

PLN Research Institute plays a strategic role in conducting research, technological development, and innovation in the electricity sector. It also carries out standardization, studies, and technical investigations to enhance the quality of national electricity services.

“Our focus is on research, development, and innovation across the entire electricity value chain, not only in technical aspects but also non-technical ones,” he explained.

With this partnership in place, the synergy between UMS and PLN Research Institute is expected to strengthen the research and innovation ecosystem, while contributing to the development of the electricity sector and improving public service quality in Indonesia.